PENDLETON — A new HBO documentary series included the story of Buck, the adult chimpanzee who a Umatilla County sheriff’s deputy shot and killed June 20, 2021, near Pendleton, after the ape attacked the adult daughter of its owner.

“Chimp Crazy” focused on Tonia Haddix, an exotic animal broker, who refers to herself as the “Dolly Parton of chimps.” According to an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, director Eric Goode said he became aware of this “subculture of women who keep primates,” while filming for “Tiger King.” He said they call themselves “monkey moms.”

The four-part series began Aug. 18 with “Monkey Love.” The third episode, “Head Shot,” which aired Sept. 1, highlighted the traumatic end of the life of Buck, who resided for approximately 17 years on a ranch Tamara Brogoitti owned on Rieth Road. Brogoitti and her late husband, John, acquired Buck as a baby.

According to a sheriff’s office report in June 2021, Brogoitti called 911 for help because Buck attacked her 50-year-old daughter, biting her torso, arms and legs. While barricaded in the basement, Brogoitti said she couldn’t get to her gun and requested an ambulance and an armed deputy.

“The animal has to be shot … you’re going to have to do a head shot,” Brogoitti said to the 911 dispatcher about the chimpanzee. “I’ve never seen anything like this. He’s got to be put down.”

The deputy fired once, killing Buck with a head shot.

In an interview with the East Oregonian after the ape’s death, Brogoitti referred to Buck as “my beautiful son.” She also expressed gratitude to the sheriff’s deputy who pulled the trigger, allowing first responders to reach her daughter, who was bleeding profusely and needing medical attention.

PETA petitioned for primate’s removal

A press release about the HBO series reports People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals requested Brogoitti surrender Buck to an accredited animal sanctuary. Oregon banned the possession of exotic animals in 2010; however, Brogoitti’s ownership of Buck was “grandfathered” in.

Brittany Peet, the PETA Foundation’s deputy general counsel for Captive Animal Law Enforcement, said Buck was the last chimp in private ownership in Oregon.

The Oregon Department of Agriculture issued permits for exotic animals. Peet said the agency should have been more critical of Brogoitti’s paperwork for the permit.

Brogoitti claimed she had been a janitor for a chimpanzee rescue charity and received a promotion to feeding chimps, Peet said, but lost that job after breaking protocol when a chimp knocked out some of her teeth. Brogoitti also claimed to have worked six months for a zoo in Ohio but there is no evidence supporting that.

“And the Department of Agriculture never pursued that,” Peet said.

According to a Sept. 1 report on its website, PETA filed a complaint with the Department of Agriculture on April 16, 2021, alleging violations of state law — including allowing the ape to roam freely on Brogoitti’s property and in her home, misrepresenting Buck’s age with an inspector and employing veterinarian Douglas Pernikoff, who wasn’t licensed to practice in Oregon, and who, Peet said, also worked for the Missouri Primate Foundation, the facility Haddix operated and was central to the HBO docuseries.

The state ag department sent Brogiotti a letter outlining the deficiencies and giving her six months to correct the issues. Four days later, Buck was dead.

Politicians discuss Captive Primate Safety Act

Animal rights and wildlife organizations hope “Chimp Crazy” will draw more attention to the Captive Primate Safety Act, with a new bipartisan proposal introduced earlier this year. The act would prohibit private ownership, private breeding and all commercial activity involving primates used in the pet trade. Legislators introducing and cosponsoring the act said it would bolster the well-being of these animals and strengthen public safety.

The Captive Primate Safety Act was first introduced to Congress in 2007 and during each subsequent congressional session except 2017-19. Longtime supporters of the legislation include Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut — the state where Travis, an adult male chimpanzee, in February 2009 mauled and disfigured Charla Nash, best friend of the chimp’s owner, Sandra Herold.

Peet said Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Oregon, has “really championed the bill.”

“Primates are not pets,” Blumenauer said in a May 1 press release. “Allowing these animals to be kept in private captivity is not just cruel. It puts our communities at tremendous risk as we have seen in horrific cases in Oregon and elsewhere.”

The “Chimp Crazy” series finale, “Fantasy Island,” aired Sept. 8 on HBO. The episodes can be viewed through several streaming and subscription services. For more information, search www.hbo.com/chimp-crazy.

East Oregonian managing editor Phil Wright contributed to this report.